A Thursday Vote

I’m going with Quist, the poet and political underdog who knows Montana's places, culture, and people

By MIKE JOPEK // May 10, 2017

Most Montanans want our president to succeed, to make America greater.Yet words like “great” mean different things to many people.

If “great” means something in between what our president pictures and what opposition envisions, our country would be greater.

Presidents produce better when cooperating branches of government offer its traditional checks and balances. More yes-men in politics are unnecessary.

The president enjoys many loyal advisors. Some treat the politics of governing like sport. If their team wins, it doesn’t matter how. Politics celebrates winners, not the process, nor the losers.

Montanans choose our next congressman from among three candidates.

Republican Greg Gianforte is the frontrunner. He spent as much personal wealth, losing in last November’s election, as it cost to rebuild the 1970’s science-fiction astronaut Colonel Steve Austin. The $6 million sting hurts, yet loss produces smarter candidates.

Judging from the constant barrage of negative advertisements on television during Jeopardy, the frontrunner seems willing to spend much to procure a win.

What could go wrong? Voters may turn out big-time for the two less wealthy men.

Musician Rob Quist is a legendary part of Montana and has tasted poverty. Quist knows what it’s like to own the bad luck of being unhealthy. Today he is productive and giving back to others. Our president went bankrupt many times before tasting greatness.

Our president’s healthcare policy just passed the U.S House. It helps interpret greatness. The president’s policy indicates that in order to secure greatness, America needs to cut Medicaid spending in half, and cap it.